Oldham snap up Richie Hawkyard

Richie Hawkyard will follow in his uncle’s footsteps and play for Oldham in 2019.

The 32-year-old joins the Roughyeds for the 2019 season from Keighley Cougars.

Hawkyard is the nephew of Colin Hawkyard, who played 189 games for the club in a ten-year spell at Watersheddings in the 1970s and 1980s.

On joining the Roughyeds, Hawkyard said: “I’ve always had a soft spot for Oldham, ever since my dad took me over to train with them when I was a id.

“I was for too young to play in an Under-21s team that was coached by Shaun Gartland. As I got older my career took a different route, but my uncle Col never missed an opportunity to tell me and my brother how well Oldham had looked after him and what a good club it was.

“I’ve been around this game long enough not to need an agent because I know a lot of coaches and chairmen and I can sort myself out.

“Keighley wanted me to stay with them, but there was a lot of uncertainty about the club’s financial future. They promised me a testimonial for all my years in the game but I decided it was time to move on.

“A few clubs spoke to me, but Oldham suited me best and I thought it was time to finally become a second Hawkyard at the club.”